Panmure Basin is buzzing again with the July 19 opening of Te Kōpua o Hiku, a vibrant new pedestrian and cycling bridge that’s already being hailed as the heart of the community.
Locals are celebrating the return of a vital connection to Panmure Basin, featuring interactive art and environmental responsiveness.
A Bridge That Breathes with the Environment
After more than a year without a pedestrian crossing, the 60-meter Te Kōpua o Hiku bridge is now open, linking both sides of the lagoon. This striking new structure replaces the original Jubilee Bridge, which was closed in July 2023 due to safety concerns.
The bridge isn’t just a functional link; it’s a piece of living art. Thirty tukutuku-inspired panels are designed to react to wind and light, with kinetic lighting activated by real-time weather data from dusk until 10 p.m. “As the wind blows, it actually influences and changes the colours on the bridge,” said Maria Meredith, chair of the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board. “It actively responds to the environment.”
Did you know? The bridge’s name, Te Kōpua o Hiku, refers to the deep pool beneath it, historically associated with the taniwha Moko-ika-hiku-waru.
Community and Collaboration Pave the Way
The project, delivered under budget and ahead of schedule, was a true collaboration between Ngāti Pāoa, the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board, Auckland Council engineers, and the Public Art team. This partnership integrated cultural storytelling and functional design, creating a new landmark for the area.
Meredith noted the mayor’s praise for the project, stating, “The overall bridge… was one of five projects across the city that the Mayor of Auckland was really happy with. Why? Because it was delivered differently and it came under cost.”
The bridge was fabricated off-site and assembled in Pakuranga before being lifted into place with a 600-tonne crane in December 2024. Meredith emphasized the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, including Healthy Waters, Watercare, and Vector, in preparing the site for installation.
Enhancing Wellbeing and Protecting Nature
Councilor Josephine Bartley highlighted the bridge’s impact on community wellbeing, noting its popularity for exercise. “The bridge plays a major part in people’s well-being because so many people use it for exercise and they do the loop,” she said.
The design also boasts environmental benefits. “That particular area… we have one of the only shag colonies left in the suburbs,” Bartley added. “So it’s good that it’s finally finished, no more disruption for the birds there.”
By integrating public art into the bridge’s design, the project cleverly utilized public art funding. “In making the bridge a public art installation, we were able to use public art money to go towards the cost of the new bridge,” Bartley explained. “So I think it’s a very clever way to have public art in a community, but also for a functioning community.”
Auckland Council invested $1.2 million over nine years into the public art component, as part of a broader effort to infuse infrastructure with culture and creativity. This project marks the fourth major artwork by the Public Art team to incorporate real-time environmental data.
The site now features approximately 430 native plants and a new 380m² pathway, enhancing community connection. Designed for a 100-year lifespan, the bridge’s artwork will receive separate maintenance for a decade.
Meredith sees the structure as a valuable asset for Panmure and the wider region. “This particular asset… will serve the local area as well as the wider region and any international visitors.”
